Liga MX: Gustavo Matosas Checks in at San Luis

Atlético de San Luis has a new manager. On Monday at the team’s Ciudad Deportiva La Presa training facility CEO Alberto Marrero presented Argentine Gustavo Matosas as the man to take over the reins of the club.

The firing of the well-respected Alfonso Sosa last week left a bitter taste in many fans’ mouths, not to mention a black cloud over Atlético CEO Marrero and his motives for the firing. The club director claimed that Sosa had disrespected two players as well as him personally, accusations that Sosa vehemently denies.

Back-to-back Ascenso championships, group leader in the Copa MX, and just one point out of a Liguilla place at the midway point of the season seems a fine accomplishment for a newly ascended team. However that glowing report card was not enough to save Sosa from the guillotine.

ATLÉTICO PRESIDENT MARRERO HAS A CLEAR VISION

Marrero’s intentions are clear: to look to the future with a manager who shares the same philosophy as he does. In bringing in Matosas, San Luis is getting a manager who has a proven championship record. In 2012-2013, the Argentine guided León to consecutive Liga championships before leaving to take over Club America the following year. He enjoyed some success with America, but he again moved to Atlas after only 25 games managing Las Águilas.

Additionally, we can expect to see more of high-priced attacking midfielder Ricardo Centurión and possibly striker Leandro Torres. By Sosa’s own admission, he had clashed with club president Marrero over the lack of playing time for these two players.

In Monday’s press conference, Matosas stated he is assuming a position of high responsibility and has confidence in his track record of creating championship teams.

Gustavo Matosas speaks to reporters | Photo by Atlético de San Luis | September 9, 2019

MANAGERIAL BOREDOM

Loyalty may be a question with this appointment. Most recently, and almost as peculiar as the firing of Sosa ,was Matosas’ resignation as manager of the Costa Rican national team. Boredom got the best of him and he wanted the challenge of coaching on a daily basis. Taking a longer view of Gustavo Matosas’ managerial career identifies a constant search for excitement and new challenges; in the last 17 years he has coached 17 different teams.

The honeymoon period won’t last long. Atlético will face Puebla this Friday at the Estadio Cuauhtémoc. The following week they play host to high-flying Santos. All eyes will be on their new manager, his choices for a starting eleven, but most importantly, his team’s results. A Liguilla place is the goal. Time will tell if the new man is up for the task.

Gustavo Matosas giving instructions to his new players | Photo by Atlético de San Luis | September 9, 2019